revivalproject | Open Log [3]

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Open Log [3]

WHO: Altair Kallig & You
WHERE: The beach, the caves
WHAT: Of course he'd be curious enough to set off on his own...
WHEN: Saturday & Sunday
WARNINGS: None! Will update if that changes

[Ocean (Saturday)]
He'd warned against it, searching for the ocean alone. But now that there's a neat and handy path right to it, he'd gone himself, standing by the seashore, the water washing up over his boots.

It was a huge advantage, even if waking up to out of control mint had been more than a small surprise. More an advantage than anything else, in the end, as the creatures that had come would be a good resource as the weather grew colder. Not as good of a resource as the ocean, though.

It was a source of food, but also a source of salt, which could be used for many different things.

All he needed to figure out of was how to extract it.

He supposed that for now he'd only be happy that they had access and that they wouldn't need to set off on any possibly precarious journey to find it.

[Caves (Sunday)]

The noises were unsettling to say the least.

Walking through them, even worse. Like an awful feedback through the Force, where the very air felt like it was electrically charged, messing with his senses. Not to mention what it was doing to his lightsaber, the red crystal inside feeling as though it was screaming more than usual, howling out in pain, and the metal of it felt somewhat hotter against his back than usual, though not unbearable.

Still, he managed to ignore it all- making his way deeper into the caves, more out of curiosity than anything else. After all, he was an archaeologist at heart, and this was not too different from going through haunted ruins or the caves on Yavin 4.

If anything it felt similar to the Dark Temple on Dromund Kaas, really, with its ghosts and chaos.

Possibly dangerous, but his curiosity overshadowed anything else.

[Deep caves (Late Sunday)]

He'd found the hot springs, and committed their location to memory, though he'd moved on, figuring he'd come back once it was less likely that people would be exploring.

Then he'd found the one with what he could only assume were Agrii relics of some sort, had set his things down- except his dualsaber on his back- and done the reasonable thing; set about searching through everything he could find. He didn't have his tools here, he could dig and scrape through anything by hand.

Altair had very little concern for what it might look like to anyone else to find him down on his knees, focused on finding anything and everything of interest.

He'd had to pull his veil off- it was difficult to tell what things were with it on, after all- so he was listening and keeping alert for anyone else's approach, ready to pull it back on at a moment's notice. There weren't too many from his world around, so far as he was aware. And he was the only one from his time. So there wasn't too much he needed to worry about if he thought about it logically.

But fear was hardly a logical thing.

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Whether or not it's actually true, Katara's pretty sure that there isn't anyone more excited by this new development than she is. Apart from her determination to attempt to capture one of the lightning bug horses, her greatest impulse is to go where the water is.

Even though there's someone farther down the beach, she doesn't let that stop her from running right into the surf with an excited whoop. It would appear that the ocean is excited, too, since a wave rises to an astonishing height to greet her as she plunges in. Surfacing after a moment, she floats on her back, feeling the push and pull of the water in ways only a bender can.

Eventually Katara sits up and uses her freezing breath to create a small floe of ice that she hops up onto and propels down the coast, casually surfing over the waves. As she crests one wave, she spies a hefty-looking fish and immediately uses her bending to catch it, lifting it out of the ocean in a floating sphere of water and making for the shore.

He could sense her excitement before he could even hear her, followed by the thudding of feet against stand, and then the whoop as she dove into the water. A pleasant energy to sense, amidst everything else, and it drew him out of his thoughts.

He tilted his head back slightly, to catch a glimpse from beneath his veil, and- oh. He's spoken to her before, hasn't he? Of course, she had not seen him, as he's taken to remaining on voice, so far as communication over the devices they'd been given goes.

As he sensed her heading for shore, he moved to meet her, sensing the fish she'd brought with her too, "I see I am not the only one excited that we now have access to the ocean."

The ice melted away as Katara reached the very shallow surf, allowing her to climb out onto the beach. The fish hadn't quite yet realized the peril it was in, still swimming in tranquil circles, but once she was on the sand, she made a gesture that froze an inch or so of the sphere's water to create a bubble of ice. This would keep the fish from escaping and make it easier to transport back to the city.

Spotting Altair nearby, she smiled and waved. It would take a moment for his blue skin to register as not being a trick of the light, but after a few seconds, she dismisses it. The Vision also didn't fit within the range of colors she was used to people being, but he was still very nice, wasn't he?

"The water's great, if you want to go swimming," she informed him as she approached, carting her dinner alongside her.

"Think I'm going to have to pass on that one," He said, with a slight smile. He was unsure his outfit would be able to stand up to what salt water could do to it, and would rather not have his only outfit be rendered unwearable. It wasn't as though he had a replacement on hand like he would at home, after all.

Keeping it clean was already trouble enough.

Perhaps once the weather turned milder, he would, but for now- he had different plans for the sea than swimming in it.

"Isn't it cold though? The weather has started to turn, too."

His species was slightly more adapted to the cold- he thought- but humans had no such advantage, so far as he was aware. Then again, she had said she was a waterbender, so perhaps that lent her some immunity to the water's chill.

When questioned about the water's temperature, Katara shrugged in a nonchalant sort of way. "I grew up at the South Pole in a house made of ice. This just feels refreshing to me," she said with a chuckle. Her clothes were still wet, but a little bending pulled the water from the fabric and from the length of her hair, leaving her dry, if a bit rumpled.

"Your voice is familiar. We've talked before, haven't we." It wasn't a question. "You said you were... a force bender? Force user," she corrected herself. "Right?"

Surprisingly, Eli could be spotted alone, fashioning a stick into the a pole. He was walking alongside the ocean admiring it as he worked. Stopping from time to time to look out. Thrawn was busy doing his own things, and he wanted to try and fish.

It would be different then eating the strange fruits and vegetables that they had been gathering. Yet there was no string to make a fishing rod, and no net to try catching them with that. He had to use a sharp rock to try and get the pole into a sharp tip. He really hated resorted to such old methods. He was grumbling to himself about it.

"If that's the case, then I can imagine that these temperatures are just fine for you, yes."

He couldn't imagine growing up in a house made of ice, really. Of course, he might as well have, considering what the slave settlement he grew up in had been like. Not a lot of protection against the elements there. But if one was properly prepared for the cold, with warm clothes and buildings that protected against cold wind, then even freezing temperatures were easy enough to deal with.

"We have," He confirmed with a slight nod of his head, "And that is correct."

"In a bad mood today?"

Altair's question was entirely lighthearted, with a fairly pleasant tone. He'd sensed his irritation from where he'd been standing, and it had drawn him out of his thoughts. And of course, he'd decided to go greet his friend rather than stick to himself.

"That seems very unlike you."

At least what he had seen, anyway. Everyone got irritated every once in a while, but from what he'd seen, Eli was a generally positive person. And the ocean represented opportunity more than anything else- so Altair had expected to feel more excited emotions from anyone who had decided to go exploring.

"Just a little....I miss my technology. I just feel like the Agri are toying with us by giving us all these opportunities, but no way to actually use them properly." Eli responded and gave a weak smile toward Altair.

He was thankful for Altair's presence. His friend allowed for a distraction from his own negative thoughts.

"My knuckles are already bruised up from sharpening this stick. Even with my gloves on."

"And even if you ask, they might give you something entirely unhelpful."

He'd lucked out only once, while anything else he'd been given was beyond garish. Usable to a point, but hardly what he'd choose for himself. Hardly what he'd want to be seen with in public.

"Perhaps asking them for a knife would be a good idea for the future. Not a request they could misunderstand, one should think."

As it was, they were barely scraping by. Not exactly an ideal state for heroes. They wouldn't be able to accomplish anything if they were only just surviving.

"And perhaps you should take a break from sharpening that stick. No use injuring yourself."

"It's not bad at all, though I wouldn't go swimming if it got really cold. We didn't actually swim much, where I'm from, just because the water was so cold you'd freeze to death if you stayed in it for too long."

Katara set the fish down in its icy sphere just far enough up the shore that the waves wouldn't wash it away.

"I was thinking about what you said. Could you use the force to bend the elements? Like with my waterbending?"

He gave a wary sigh. He placed the rock back in his pocket and held on to the stick. He would finish it later.

"I suppose you're right. A break might do me some good. I was just hoping to get some fishing done. I did ask them for a data pad or something to take notes on. They gave some sort of flimsy to write on....so it was better then nothing. Do you think they would mess up on a request for string?"

"I don't think so. At least I haven't heard of any Sith or Jedi using the Force in such a way."

The was the lightning, but that was different, he though. It had nothing to do with natural lightning, after all. Anything was possible with the Force was what he believed, but he supposed some things couldn't be done.

"It would be useful if I could, but it's a bit beyond my skill set, I think."

"I asked for a notebook myself- seemed more in line with their capabilities and more reliable than a datapad. They gave me some garish eye-searing nightmare and equally outlandish writing implements, but it does do its job."

He had considered removing the cover, but having it whole was better than to start taking it apart. After all, the cover did protect the pages a little.

"And I honestly wouldn't put it past them. I lucked out and received an embroidery kit from them, though I'm starting to believe that being that fortunate is rare..."

He looked thoughtful, putting a hand to his chin, "Perhaps if you ask them for fishing line and hooks, if you were specifically thinking about fishing? Anything less durable might snap, after all."

"That is a good point. You really do have to be careful what to say to them. They are at least trying...I'll give them some credit there. I'll be sure to ask them this and see what they provide.

It would be nice to have some kind of actual meat. Most of what we ate on the ships were ration bars or boring mush that was considered to be protein and other various essentials. When we would go to Coruscant I would use that time to get actual meals. I miss the meals my mother used to make."

"So strange to think of Coruscant as part of an Empire..." Altair mused, shaking his head a little. Thousands of years and so much could change. But then, such was the march of time, he supposed. Where Eli was from, his Empire was likely barely remembered. And those who did remember it, might think of it as some nightmare, better left in the past. Of course, part of him couldn't blame the world if it was thought of as such, either.

"Ration bars aren't so bad. Nutritionally balanced, long-lasting, easy to bring along... I kept a pretty large stash aboard the Fury, just in case..."

As a slave, he'd learned not to be picky.

"Could be worse, could be what we got served in the slave settlement where I grew up."

He shrugged his shoulders. Still, he understood where Eli was coming from. He had things he missed too- like his stash of rations. He tilted his head toward the ocean then, looking thoughtful, "Access to meat is a good thing though. I was trying to think of how to extract salt from the water, as well. The more resources we have, the better."

"Ration bars are convenient yes and something I'm glad that we have. I suppose if I think about it more, it's the ability to cook and prepare a meal for someone. It's always been a big thing with my family. Having everyone together and putting a meal on the table. I'm glad I get to do this here. Granted, it's more of a challenge. It's really putting me to a test."

Eli frowned a bit when Altair made the comment about the slave settlement. He knew Altair had been a slave, but he still hated that fact. He wished that his friend wasn't raised in such condition or anyone had to go through that.

"Well, then I'm inviting you over to dinner and I'll prepare a big meal for all of us. Hopefully with the fish. As for the salt...that would be rather handy. We really don't have the equipment to properly gather it though..."

He kicked at the sand in frustration. He was trying to stay on the more hopeful path but every time they had sources at their hands something came up that made it difficult.

Loki has been very interested in all of what's going on; anything novel will have his attention because it might give him useful information for getting out of this place--and because it's better than being bored. And the caves have been a treasure trove. The energies within them are fascinating, eager to be manipulated, and a challenge of their own as something more bound to the natural world than he usually is.

That is what causes him to wander the caves, hands held palm up in front of him, his eyes closed. He's in no danger of running into any walls now.

He stops when he feels another person there. Ribbons of light twist around his fingertips. "Lovely, isn't it?" he remarks.

He could sense his distaste and upset at the mention of the slave settlement, and understood, he supposed. It wasn't pleasant to think about. Even Ashara had once asked him, if he'd truly been a slave. Said she couldn't imagine him in cage, couldn't imagine him helpless.That seemed to be his lot whenever it came out- either pity, distaste, or those who wished for him to deny that past, and the weakness they perceived being born a slave as being.

To Altair, it was just his past.

Instead of dwelling on it, he offered an awkward smile and focused on something much more pleasant, "Try to not make it too big of a meal. I don't often eat, but when I do, I prefer smaller portions."

"It is... Something, to be sure," Altair responds, having equally sensed that he was no longer alone. Even though other interference, his ability to sense the world around him was the ability that got the most practice, and it would take more than the air being charged with unusual energy and the tortured cries of his lightsaber crystal to distract him.

"A mystery. Unusual. Both things I adore."

He hadn't always, but now, mysteries were some of his favorite things.

"Good to know that I am not the only one who's taken to wandering these caves. Are you seeking its mysteries, too?"

"I'll probably end up making a big meal regardless....but I won't expect you to eat a big plate's worth of food. I'll be happy as long as you eat. My friend has a tendency to not eat unless I remind him or provide the meal thus forcing him to take the time to eat. I simply like to provide to people I care about."

Eli explained in a more cheerful manner. This was a more cheerful subject matter and something better to concentrate on. He was grateful for the subject change.

"Odd. He didn't seem the type to forget to eat."

Altair assumed Eli was talking about Thrawn, and from what little he'd seen or- heard, really, the man seemed to value efficiency. That could be his knowledge of the Chiss coloring his view, but no species functioned optimally on an empty stomach, and most Chiss he'd interacted with were efficient people. Or had seemed that way, at least.

"I'm not overly familiar with the Chiss, but most I've met have seemed very... Balanced, I suppose."

Not that he thought there was anything like a standard personality among a sentient species, but culture did count for a lot. Of course, he was an example of a very unusual Chiss himself. Not that anyone but him knew that here, as he was going to keep playing at being Pantoran for as long as he possibly could.

"At least I assume that's who you're talking about."

Eli nodded in response.

"It's more or less he pushes it aside so he can get what ever project he's working on done. Or what ever is holding his attention. Even little reminders on his data pad didn't work. He just ignored them. I've had to remove the data pad from him and put the tray of food in his work area to get his attention.

A lot of the Chiss I've met tend to get hyper focused on their projects. But I suppose it could be a military thing too. I can be that way at times."

"Always. This is an incredibly dull place, otherwise." His teeth flash briefly in a grin. "And if I don't keep myself occupied poking about inanimate objects, then I might start poking animate ones to see what they do."

He looks around the cave. "I've encountered similar things before, in other places of course... but still not quite like this. It might be very useful."

That didn't sound too different from how he, himself was. Whenever he came across something interesting, the world melted away. Time passed without notice, sleep and food and drink completely forgotten in favor of whatever it was that held his attention.

Still, he figured all beings were like that at times.

He was no typical Chiss, after all. Nothing at all like them. So far removed that the only thing he had in common with those who should be his people was merely his species itself. After all, had he been a typical Chiss, he wouldn't be so easily mistaken for Pantoran, he thought. Had he been a proper Chiss, he wouldn't have been able to hide it.

Chiss were very particular, after all.

"... I see," He said, somewhat belatedly, "I see... Your dedication to providing for people you care for is admirable, Eli."

Better to focus on that, he decided.

"I think I've said this before too though- do take care to not run yourself into the ground either. No use wearing yourself out. Or injuring yourself," He said, just a little pointedly. After all, it was worrisome that he'd try so hard to make a spear to catch fish with that he bruised his knuckles.

Altair gives a soft huff of laughter at that, "With the varied personalities to be found here, I imagine some will bite, some will poke right back, and some will ask you politely to stop."

He listens to what he has to say about the caves then, and gives a soft hum, "It might be. This much energy in one place, we're bound to find some way to apply it to something in the long run..."

He's not sure what yet, but an idea will come, he's sure.

"I can't help it. I've always been a caregiver. I was hoping to find a skill here that might help with that. Since there doesn't seem much use for my data analysis here. I've found it hard to learn to rely on others to help too.

I'm so used to being independent on those terms. I know that the military taught us to be self sufficient and to work as a team, but at the same time old habits are hard to change."

He gave a sheepish grin in Altair's direction. He knew that Altair was referring to how he hurt himself in the process of trying to be able to fish.

"More help in the greenhouse wouldn't be remiss, I think. The weather is getting colder, and keeping everyone fed through a possible coming winter..."

It was something to consider, certainly. Fishing would help as well, but they can't get through the winter by eating fish alone. And it's easy enough to accomplish things in the greenhouse by help of the Data Point, and just actively working to care for the many plants there. Of course, many people already spent their time there.

"Beyond that, I think I saw a data point near what I can only assume is a hospital. Should it contain knowledge of how to treat illnesses and injuries, I'm certain there will be use for that, as well. Sooner or later someone here will get themselves hurt, I'm sure."

He had no doubts that the reigning peace would not last.

"Not that I don't understand your frustrations. In a place where you're surrounded by strangers, relying on others is an exercise in trust. Still, you should rely on Thrawn at least. And you may always come to me, should you need help as well."

As a somewhat snarky afterthought, he added, "However unwise it is to place one's faith in a Sith."

That was a joke.

Eli thought about it for a moment and gave a nod his eyes lightening up at the idea. "That probably would be something I would be good at. Plus, more help for our project too. To be fair, I don't think I could handle working in the hospital. I don't think I could mentally process handling the wounded and sick on a regular bases. I can help if necessary, but it's not something I could do on a regular schedule."

He couldn't help but smirk at Altair's last statement. "If I try to blend in with everyone that's when you need to really worry about me. I'll always stand out in my choices."

"I take your point- it takes a special kind of person to be able to handle that day in and day out. And it's neither of us, I suppose. My bedside manner would be just awful."

There was a hint of sarcasm in there, but he was mostly serious. It took a strong stomach and iron will to be able to heal the wounded and the sick. Altair was good at defending others. He was good at being a sympathetic ear. He was not good at tending to injuries, disease. He could barely see to his own physical and mental well-being on most days.

A thoughtful hum then, "Your help would be welcome."

Another beat, before he adds, "Take care should any Sith besides myself show, however. Not all Sith have my sunny disposition. Not even the rational ones."

Part jest, part seriousness. Sith are volatile creatures by nature.

"Where would the delta point be for the agriculture be? My bedside manners would be alright till a point then I get impatient or too overwhelmed."

Eli gave a nod. While he noted the jest he also saw the warning behind it as well. He was familiar with the stories of Darth Vader. And knew that not everyone would be like Altair. He was just lucky in a sense.

"We have Darth Vader at home who wants to strangle everyone who displeases or angers him. I understand completely."

"I can show you. I know the way, but explaining landmarks might not be my strong suit."

He reached up to give his veil a tap for emphasis.

"And those kinds of Sith are not the worst there are. At least they can be adjusted for. A Sith can be as friendly as anyone, and still see your life as inconsequential. There are Sith who will treat you as a friend, and still see you as a stepping stone at best, an insect at worst. But with any luck, the worst of us Sith will not show up here."

He realized that he was giving Eli rather a lot of reasons to run for the hills. But he'd rather be abandoned himself, than possibly let his new friend be played for a fool should a Sith unlike himself show up.

"Deception is a Sith's stock and trade. I do not doubt your intellect, but even I have been played for a fool, even when I should have known better."

A pause then, and he crossed his arms, turning his head to the side as though looking away from him, "That was preachy, wasn't it. I apologize."

"There's no need to apologize, Altair. I fully understand your attempt to explain and warn what you're people are like. I'm also not that innocent either.

I'm usually very aware of my surroundings and read into what people say and do thanks to Thrawn's teachings. I tend to surprise them more then they surprise me.

Having been Thrawn's aide I tend to be considered an 'easy' target to get to him. I always have to be on my guard. But I also make mistakes as well. " Eli simply explained.

"I'm not going to ask what the purpose of the veil is....but I just wanted to point out that you don't have to hide around me? Your secret is safe with me."

"I don't think you're innocent or naive, Eli. I just know what Sith are like. I thought myself pretty savvy too, once. But the depravity of the Sith has no limits."

Altair knew very well the sort of people that populated most of the Sith Order. Imperials had it hard, had to manage politics. Sith on the other hand, made their living making the decisions that decided whether some lived or died.

And usually how quickly said someone got from point a to point b.

Not only that, they lived their lives carefully maneuvering around other Sith, making deception all they knew.

"Had I thought you stupid, we would not be talking right now. I do not suffer fools, so I know you are not one."

That was a compliment.

As for the matter of his veil, when Eli brought it up, there was a reflexive flinch and he jerked back a little, a crackle of electricity running along his hands, before he got it under control, "If I wanted to hide, I think I could find better places to do so than under a veil."

He was absolutely hiding.

"But as you're not asking what the purpose is, I'll pretend that you didn't even mention it."

Eli caught the sense of fear and saw the the barely visible flinch as he jerked back. Hesitantly, he reached out to wrap a hand around Altair's in an attempt to reassure him. He had meant no harm, but just wanted him to know.

He didn't say anymore on the topic.

He calmed ever so slightly, though there was still a bit of tension to his shoulders.

"Thank you for trying to comfort me, Eli. But you needn't be so concerned. Fear is useful to a Sith."

Fear kept a Sith alive. Fear made him powerful. Even though there were parts of himself he was trying to change, to not rely on dread so much, some habits were bound to remain. Fear wasn't so useful at the moment, but he was sure the time would come when it would be of use to him.

"Thank you for not prying, too."

"I realize it may be useful for you, but you shouldn't have to be afraid around me. Regardless, when you're ready to share your story I'll be there to hear it. Until then I'm content as long as you are okay."

Eli replied and squeeze his hand once more before releasing it.

"Not much of a story to tell, I'm afraid."

Oh, there was a long one. A long and painful story, one that filled him with dread even now. A story that sent such a chill through him that if he thought too deeply on it or spoke of it, he might never feel warm ever again. Of course, that was just him being dramatic. Honestly, he could likely manage to tell it, if he tried.

Thing is that he doesn't want to.

The veil is safety, here, as it always has been elsewhere. Perhaps more-so.

After all, there is no pulling rank here, and Eli is connected to the person here that Altair fears the most. He won't let his fear color his actions, but that doesn't mean that it isn't there, always present, in the back of his mind.

"The veil does have its uses too. The Force flows through every living thing, and seeing through it makes me feel connected to the world in a way my eyesight could never make me feel. It's a little inconvenient, sometimes, but... Mostly not."

A pause, then, "Besides, perhaps the veil is for your convenience as well. Perhaps I look absolutely revolting under here."

That at least seemed to be a joke.

"The ones that bite are the most interesting." There isn't that much fun in tormenting someone if they just take it. He likes a lovely bit of yelling and struggling before the inevitable collapse.

"I am also very curious how it might interact with the... weather."

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Open Log [3]

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[Ocean]

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Caves

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(if you would like to drop this embarassingly old thread, I totally understand)